Quality Assurance Specialist (Aerospace) (Direct Hire)

About the Role

You will serve as a Quality Assurance Specialist for the Armstrong Flight Research Center, focusing on mechanical, avionics, back-shop, and/or product quality assurance for NASA projects, missions, experiments, and research facilities. As a technical authority, you will plan, develop, organize, administer, evaluate, and coordinate a comprehensive aerospace quality assurance program.

Responsibilities

• Performs as a senior Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist with final authority on QA matters for new or replacement procurements and major supplies, including systems acquisition of aircraft parts to maintain consistency across the Center.
• Evaluates contractors' quality systems to determine if delivery of major procurement acquisitions will meet contract criteria.
• Conducts on-site assessments of suppliers' capabilities and evaluates potential suppliers for compliance with NASA quality standards.
• Develops Government Inspection requirements and quality surveillance plans, verifies effectiveness, and determines root causes of product defects to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Tracks product deficiencies, mitigates risk, and ensures compliance with AS9100 requirements.
• Reviews written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy and evaluates the implementation and effectiveness of quality systems.
• Verifies by test or inspection, using sampling or intensive product inspection techniques, that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance, identifies inadequacies, and requests corrective action.
• Investigates customer complaints and deficiency reports, working with other agencies and external customers to determine appropriate courses of action.
• Reads, interprets, and applies technical data such as blueprints, engineering drawings, product specifications, or technical manuals.
• Reviews and evaluates contractor operations and procedures through periodic audits and surveillance inspections, working with the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Federal Aviation Administration, and Center processes.

Requirements

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• May require a one-year probationary period.
• Subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance, which may vary based on duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or Travel Requirements may apply based on duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• If selected, you will be required to successfully complete an annual eye exam per NASA-STD-8739.6.
• If selected, you must successfully obtain and maintain a NASA AFRC Inspection Stamp.
• If selected, you must obtain the following License and/or Certification within one year: NASA-STD-8739.1, -IPC J-STD-001FS, and -8739.4 or equivalent replacement standard.

Qualifications

GS-12: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, including:

• Monitoring, controlling, or maintaining the quality of products or services in quality assurance, modification of aircraft, inspection, or related areas.
• Reviewing written quality or inspection procedures for adequacy and evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of quality/inspection systems.
• Verifying by test or inspection that products comply with requirements prior to acceptance.

GS-13: One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, including:

• Leading or providing technical advice and assistance to personnel supporting critical/complex aerospace/science programs.
• Overseeing or implementing manufacturing and quality assurance processes and systems that have a direct impact on the quality of aircraft products and/or services.
• Conducting quality assurance audits/surveillances related to aircraft systems, equipment, materials, or processes.

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from position descriptions or other reference materials may result in disqualification.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.